The Titans will be without the services of starting inside linebacker Wesley Woodyard and starting safety Kenny Vaccaro this week. Woodyard suffered a shoulder injury against the Eagles that the team seemed hopeful that it wasn’t a serious injury. We knew that Vaccaro was likely going to be out after suffering a dislocated elbow against Philadelphia. He’s expected to miss 2-4 weeks total Authentic Rashaan Evans Jersey , but my guess is that we see him return after the Titans Week 8 bye.Woodyard was injured just two snaps in to the Eagles game which means we’ve likely already seen what this linebacker group will look like this week. Jayon Brown becomes the “every down” linebacker for the Titans as he did last week against the Eagles and first round pick Rashaan Evans will get the majority of the snaps next to him. It will be good experience for the rookie as he continues to work in after missing most of training camp. Will Compton and Daren Bates will rotate in as needed behind those two.At safety, veteran backup Kendrick Lewis will get the start next to All-Pro Kevin Byard. Lewis got his first action as a Titan last week and is the kind of steady presence that you want filling in when a starter goes down. Rookie Dane Cruikshank and special teams ace Brynden Trawick would be the next guys up.Outside of that, the Titans appear to be approaching full strength. Blaine Gabbert and David Fluellen will make their returns this week and backup tackle Dennis Kelly even got a full practice in on Friday. He is listed as questionable for the game Sunday.On the other sideline, the Bills are also relatively healthy, but starting safety Micah Hyde, backup safety Rafael Bush, and starting tight end Charles Clay are all listed as questionable. If neither safety can go, Buffalo would be in some trouble there opposite Jordan Poyer.Preseason Enemy Report: Jaire Alexander The Packers’ offseason has been defined not just by changes in the front office, but also a revamped secondary.In 2017, the starters for the secondary were corners Davon House and Demarious Randall and safeties Morgan Burnett and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Clinton-Dix is the only returning starter for the secondary, as the Packers decided this was no laughing matter.Now Womens Brian Orakpo Jersey , the starters for the secondary are safeties Josh Jones and Clinton-Dix and corners Tramon Williams, Kevin King and Jaire Alexander (listed as the nickelback as of this writing). Drafted out of Louisville with the 18th overall pick of this year’s draft, rookie cornerback Jaire Alexander had 77 tackles and seven interceptions during his college career. His junior season in 2017 was cut short due to injuries, but his 2016 season gave him Second team All-ACC honors. The Titans will play at Lambeau Field on Thursday, so we can expect Jaire Alexander to get some significant playing time in the first preseason action of his career.draftbreakdown.comThough he has dealt with numerous injuries throughout his college career, Alexander is a very talented corner. As shown on this play, he had great coverage skills and vision in college, allowing him to stuff the screen pass here for a loss.
He initially covers the outside receiver before setting his site on the receiving back, making this play all too easy.draftbreakdown.comNew Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is known for running press coverage, and Alexander’s selection made perfect sense because of his ability in press man. He has strong hands which make him valuable in this area on the line of scrimmage, and especially in 2016 (when he was healthy) his quality in press made him a star for Louisville’s secondary.Alexander has also been used to blitz the quarterback on a few occasions during his time at Louisville. Whether Pettine will use him as a weapon in the blitz has yet to be determined.draftbreakdown.comAlexander’s ability against man is good. He’s a fast corner that can get a few breaks due to the accuracy of the quarterback he’s facing Womens Delanie Walker Jersey , but in general he should be a boost to the Packers’ secondary.Here, then Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson throws behind his intended receiver. Alexander covers outside, meaning an accurate throw would seal a touchdown, as Alexander’s route is going inside. But Watson throws it behind, allowing Alexander to catch up and haul the ball away from the receiver for a great effort interception.draftbreakdown.comAlexander’s toughness lends itself on tackles, as is expected. Here, he strips the ball out of the receiver’s hands operating on zone coverage. His speed is apparent here, as he catches up to the tight end and uses his strong hands to jar the ball loose. Jaire Alexander should be a good fit in Mike Pettine’s defense, and a guy to look out for when the Titans’ receiving corps attempts to go to town.The Titans-Packers game starts on Thursday night at 7 p.m. Central time.